Retort cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A retort cleaning apparatus 10 (RCA 10 ) comprising a blow-off nozzle ( 12 ) having an air inlet port ( 14 ) and an orifice ( 16 ). An air passage extension tube ( 22 ) has an inward coupler ( 24 ), and a heat-resistant outward coupler ( 26 ) that attaches to the air inlet port ( 14 ) on the blow-off nozzle ( 12 ). An air hose ( 42 ) has an air inlet coupler ( 44 ), and an air outlet coupler ( 46 ) that attaches to the inward coupler ( 24 ) on the air passage extension tube ( 22 ). An air compressor ( 60 ) has a compressed air fastener ( 62 ) that attaches to the air inlet coupler ( 44 ) on the air hose ( 42 ). The air compressor is equipped with a power switch ( 64 ) that controls the operation of an electrical motor ( 66 ). When the power switch is closed, power from a power source ( 80 ) is applied to the motor ( 66 ) which then allows pressurized air to flow through the air hose ( 42 ), the air passage extension tube ( 22 ), and into and out of the orifice ( 16 ) on the blow-off nozzle ( 12 ).

1. A retort cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a) a blow-off nozzle having an air inlet port and an orifice, comprised of a plurality of laterally spaced, rectangular air jet pairs, 
 b) an air passage extension tube having an inward coupler, and a heat-resistant outward coupler that attaches to the air inlet port on said blow-off nozzle, 
 c) an air hose having an air inlet coupler, and an air outlet coupler that attaches to the inward coupler on said air passage extension tube, and 
 d) an air compressor having a compressed air fastener that attaches to the air inlet coupler on said air hose, wherein said air compressor is equipped with a power switch that controls the operation of an electrical motor, wherein when the power switch is closed, power from a power source is applied to the motor which then allows pressurized air to flow through said air hose, said air passage extension tube and into and out of the orifice of said blow-off nozzle. 
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus as specified in  claim 1  wherein between each pair of air jets is further located an outward-extending baffle. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus as specified in  claim 2  further comprising an air blowgun connected in series between said air passage extension tube and said air hose, wherein said air blowgun incorporates a trigger and has an air inlet fastener that attaches to the air outlet coupler on said air hose, and an air outlet fastener that attaches to the inward coupler on said air passage extension tube. 
   
   
     4. The apparatus as specified in  claim 3  further comprising an air delivery pipe connected in series between said air hose and said air compressor, wherein said air delivery pipe has a pipe inlet fastener that attaches to the compressed air fastener on said air compressor, and a pipe outlet fastener that attaches to the air inlet coupler on said air hose, wherein when the power switch is closed, the compressed air is applied through said air delivery pipe, said air hose and into said air blowgun, wherein when the blowgun trigger is depressed, the compressed air flows out of the air jet pairs on said blow-off nozzle. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus as specified in  claim 4  wherein said air passage extension tube is made of metal or hard plastic and has a length ranging between 3-feet (0.91 meters) and 8-feet (2.44 meters). 
   
   
     6. The apparatus as specified in  claim 5  wherein said air hose is contained within a portable air-hose reel. 
   
   
     7. The apparatus as specified in  claim 6  wherein said air blowgun further comprises a pistol grip that houses the trigger, wherein the trigger is designed to supply a variable air flow control. 
   
   
     8. A retort cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a) a blow-off nozzle having an air inlet port and a forward orifice, 
 b) an air passage extension tube having an inward coupler, and a heat-resistant outward coupler that attaches to the air inlet port on said blow-off nozzle, 
 c) an air blowgun having a handle, a trigger, an air inlet fastener, and an air outlet fastener that attaches to the inward coupler on said air passage extension tube, 
 d) an air hose having an air inlet coupler, and an air outlet coupler that attaches to the air inlet fastener on said air blowgun, 
 e) an air delivery pipe having a pipe inlet fastener, and a pipe outlet fastener that attaches to the air inlet coupler on said air hose, and 
 f) an air compressor having a compressed air fastener that attaches to the pipe inlet fastener on said air delivery pipe, and an electrical power switch that controls the input of electrical power, wherein when the electrical power switch is closed the compressed air is applied through said air delivery pipe, said air hose and into said air blowgun, wherein when the blowgun trigger is depressed, the compressed air flows out of the orifice of said blow-off nozzle. 
 
   
   
     9. The apparatus as specified in  claim 8  wherein said orifice is comprised of a plurality of laterally spaced, rectangular air jet pairs. 
   
   
     10. The apparatus as specified in  claim 9  wherein between each pair of air jets is further located an outward-extending baffle. 
   
   
     11. The apparatus as specified in  claim 8  wherein said air passage extension tube has a length ranging between 3-feet (0.91 meters) and 8-feet (2.44 meters). 
   
   
     12. The apparatus as specified in  claim 11  wherein said blowgun handle consists of a pistol grip that allows access to the blowgun trigger, which is designed to supply a variable air flow control. 
   
   
     13. The apparatus as specified in  claim 8  wherein said air hose is contained within an air hose reel that is permanently mounted. 
   
   
     14. The apparatus as specified in  claim 8  wherein said air hose is contained within a portable air hose reel. 
   
   
     15. The apparatus as specified in  claim 8  wherein said air delivery pipe is formed of a metal. 
   
   
     16. The apparatus as specified in  claim 8  wherein said air delivery pipe is formed of a hard plastic. 
   
   
     17. The apparatus as specified in  claim 8  wherein said air compressor is comprised of a single stage air compressor that is driven by a thermal-overload-protected electric motor operated by 120 volts a-c utility power.